Moninne Griffith, Director of Marriage Equality told the Irish Examiner: “That is wonderful. It tallies with the research we have done over recent months and shows that the days are gone when LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) people felt they have to leave for London or New York to be accepted.

Mr Gilmore, who is the leader of the Irish Labour Party and serves as Deputy Prime Minister in a Coalition Government said that politicians should no longer dictate who people fall in love with or who they decide to spend their lives with.

“I believe in gay marriage,” he said. “The right of gay couples to marry is, quite simply, the civil rights issue of this generation, and, in my opinion, it’s time has come.”

Minister for Justice Alan Shatter has echoed the Deputy Prime Minister’s support for equal marriage, saying: “I believe individuals should be able to get on with their lives freely, where their circumstances don’t detrimentally impact on others.”

Kieran Rose, Chair of GLEN, the Gay and Lesbian Equality Network in Ireland said: “Civil Partnerships have been a resounding success. Almost 1500 people have entered civil partnerships in Ireland since they became available just over a year ago.

“Lesbian and gay couples are celebrating their love and commitment in front of family, friends and communities all across Ireland.

“These couples are the pioneers who are transforming the perception of lesbian and gay relationships all across the country. By their public acts of love and commitment they are laying the foundations for further progress towards civil marriage for lesbian and gay couples.”